Myth: I don't need
the flu vaccine. If I do get the flu, I'll just take the new flu
medication.
Fact: The new antiviral
medications prescribed for flu do not eliminate flu symptoms.
According to the medical literature, they have the ability to
reduce the severity of the flu somewhat, and may shorten the
duration by only about three days. They will not stop the flu dead
in its tracks, like a cough suppressant relieves a cough. Moreover,
patients who have taken these medications inappropriately have been
known to suffer severe side effects.
Myth: The flu vaccine causes Guillain-Barre
Syndrome.
Fact: The Guillain-Barre
Syndrome (GBS) was associated with the swine flu in 1976 but has
not been clearly link to flu vaccines. The CDC states, however,
that "if there is a risk of GBS from current influenza vaccines it
is estimated at one or two cases per million persons vaccinated."
So the benefits of getting vaccinated greatly outweigh the risks
involved.
Myth: I got vaccinated last
year.
Fact: Strains of the flu
virus change every year, and new vaccines are produced to counter
them as soon as they are identified. In addition, the vaccine loses
its potency after a year. So the vaccination you had last year will
not be effective against this year's virus.
Myth: I will get sick from the flu
vaccine.
Fact: There's no live virus
in the injectable vaccine, so you can't get the flu from the shot.
You might get a low-grade fever and muscle aches that last about a
day or two. Remember, the vaccine can take up to two weeks to
become completely effective, so you could still get the flu during
these two weeks. If you get the flu after this period, you may
experience milder symptoms than if you had not had the
immunization.
Myth: The flu can't be all that bad.
After all, it's just a really bad cold.
Fact: The flu can be very
serious. Approximately 40,000 people die from the flu and
flu-related complication in the U.S. each year. Ninety-five percent
of these deaths occur in individuals age 65 and older. The flu shot
protects you and it will help keep you from spreading it to
individuals in this vulnerable age category.
Myth: I'm healthy and never get the
flu.
Fact: Absolutely anyone can
get the flu. Why chance it?
Myth: I already had the
flu!
Fact: Are you sure you didn't
have a bad cold? The flu will keep you in bed with a sudden onset
of high fever, severe body aches, backaches and headaches for days
or even weeks. It will keep you from working and carrying out daily
activities.
